Misleading food claims “Fat Free” many may NOT be Healthy.
Beware of fat-free products
Per gram, fat has more than twice the calories of carbohydrate or protein. If you’re trying to lose weight, fat-free foods might sound like just the ticket. But don’t be fooled by “fat-free” food labels.
- Fat-free can still have carbohydrates. Fat-free foods can have more carbohydrates and contain nearly as many calories as the standard version of the same food. The lesson? You guessed it. Compare food labels for fat-free and standard products carefully before you make a decision.
And remember that the amount of total fat listed on a food label doesn’t tell the whole story. Look for a breakdown of types of fat.
- Choose healthier fats. Although still high in calories, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can help lower your cholesterol and protect your heart.
- Limit unhealthy fats. Saturated and trans fats raise your cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease.
By Mayo Clinic staffMayoClinic.comgives users access to the expertise and knowledge of the more than 3,300 physicians and scientists of Mayo Clinic.
Fat Free/ Nonfat
The FDA regulations require reporting fatty acids expressed as triglycerides. In a strict interpretation, monoglycerides and diglycerides are not considered “fat”, and information about the saturation of their fatty acid components is omitted from the nutrition label.
Although there is a note at the bottom of the label:” adds a negligible amount of fat”, meaning triglycerides. The weight of the monoglycerides and diglycerides (and their Calories) are ignored there is no reporting requirement. One serving of 14 grams has less than 0.5 grams of each: fat (triglycerides), carbohydrate (rice starch), and protein (gelatin). Therefore, all the values may be rounded to zero! Look at the Nutrition Facts: Total Fat 0g, Total Carbohydrate 0g, Protein 0g. A serving of 14 grams only has 5 reported Calories.
Be aware of claims- 100% Natural, Fat Free, non Fat…Many food products prominently display enticing words. to make them appealing to the consumer. The FDA requires the nutrition facts and ingredients list to be included on the packaging. If you are counting on the claims on the package, to determine if the claims are accurate, you can review the nutritional info.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Granola Gourmet does not treat, cure or prevent diabetes or any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.